The books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell a vital story of a community revived and restored by God’s grace through gifted individuals, preparing the way for the Messiah to come. Ezra, a priest, and Nehemiah, a governor, both prioritized the Word of God and the practice of prayer—commitments that are just as vital for the renewal of the church today.

In his practical and devotional expository commentary, pastor-theologian Derek W. H. Thomas shows what this gripping narrative can teach us about kingdom life in our own time.

As are all Reformed Expository Commentaries, this book is accessible to both pastors and lay readers. Each volume in the series gives careful attention to the biblical text, is doctrinally Reformed, focuses on Christ through the lens of redemptive history, and applies the Bible to our contemporary setting.

---

Reviews

“Derek Thomas has the happiest knack of leading his readers right into the heart of the biblical text. . . . He tackles the intriguing (and too-neglected) books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and through him we not only enter into fruitful contact with the Bible but also meet with two of the most attractive characters that the Old Testament offers.” — Alec Motyer, Previously Old Testament Editor, The Bible Speaks Today commentary series

“Dr. Thomas has shown an entire generation of Christians how to preach
the Old Testament. This commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah is a rich resource for preachers and for any other Christian who wishes to understand how these Old Testament books fit within the biblical story line and their meaning for Christians today.” — R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Derek W. H. Thomas’s Ezra & Nehemiah is a must-have for the serious Bible student, whether a layman or a pastor. . . . With penetrating insight and judicious selections from pertinent commentators and theologians from the past and present, this commentary on a fascinating epoch of the redemption story speaks richly to the needs of our souls.” — Peter A. Lillback, President, Westminster Theological Seminary

“Dr. Thomas loves great narrative, traces plotlines with skill, understands how biblical theology works, and brings out telling contemporary application. In his hands the books of Ezra and Nehemiah express their inherent power to reveal the character of God, the power of his Word, the nature of the life of faith and prayer, and the purpose of the church.” — Sinclair B. Ferguson, Professor of Systematic Theology, Redeemer Seminary

---

Derek Thomas is minister of preaching and teaching at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina. He is editorial director of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and distinguished visiting professor of systematic and historical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary.